NJDEP Updates to the Lake Hopatcong Water Level Management Plan
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) released an updated Lake Hopatcong Water Level Management Plan (WLMP) . According to the NJDEP, the 2024 Lake Hopatcong Water Level Management Plan is a minor update to the 2011 Plan that reflects recommendations of the Citizen Advisory Committee made during meetings that occurred from 2021-2023. The purpose of the plan is to guide how lake levels are managed throughout the year and to balance recreation, property protection, dam safety, and downstream ecological needs.
What’s Staying the Same in the 2024 Update
The 2024 update does not change the lake lowering schedules specified in the Water Level Management Plan, which still calls for a 26-inch annual drawdown and 60-inch drawdown every five years. However, the 22-inch drawdown pilot program, first introduced in 2016, will continue to remain in effect and now appears as Appendix E within the updated Plan. The pilot program temporarily supersedes the 26-inch drawdown described in the plan and is designed to improve the likelihood of a successful spring refill while maintaining downstream ecological protections.
Under the pilot, the annual drawdown is reduced from 26 inches to 22 inches (target lake level 7.17 feet). The program will continue to be reviewed annually by NJDEP to determine its long-term applicability. It also allows for limited flexibility in operations, permitting a temporary reduction in minimum passing flow below 12 cfs with NJDEP approval when regional stream gauges show sufficient water availability and minimal downstream impacts.
What’s New in the 2024 Update
The 2024 update introduces several procedural and coordination improvements intended to strengthen communication, increase transparency, and ensure the plan remains responsive to changing lake and watershed conditions.
- Better Communication: The WLMP includes a formal Communication Plan outlining how NJDEP, the Lake Hopatcong Commission, local municipalities, and the public will be notified of lake level adjustments, drawdown start and end dates, and emergency operations.
- Annual Review and Revisions: The process for reviewing and updating the plan each year is now clearly defined, making it easier to adapt to changing conditions. To revise the plan, the Lake Hopatcong Commission will meet with the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and the NJDEP to review and recommend updates to the LH WLMP. The NJDEP will then draft the revised plan and hold a public comment period so community members can review and share feedback before it is finalized.
- The Lake Hopatcong Commission’s Role: Going forward, the Lake Hopatcong Commission will take a stronger role in coordinating community input. The Commission will lead the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) process, working with NJDEP, local officials, and lake organizations to provide recommendations to NJDEP and help evaluate how the plan is working. This collaboration ensures local voices remain central to lake management decisions.
Looking Forward
The 2024 updates enhance communication, transparency, and collaboration, ensuring that Lake Hopatcong’s water levels are managed effectively and responsibly. Review the full Lake Hopatcong Water Level Management Plan (WLMP) to learn more about the updated plan.